Gluten is not theculprit in RA, but Gluten is the culprit in Celiac’s disease. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. The small intestine becomes inflamed and damaged when a person with Celiac’s disease ingests food such as bread, beer, cereal, or other foods that contain gluten. As damage occurs to the small intestine, it becomes increasingly difficult for the intestine to absorb nutrients.

Celiac’s disease is an autoimmune disease. It is commonly paired with the autoimmune diseases of the thyroid (6%) and type1 diabetes (6%) There is also an increased risk associated with the following: Sjögren’s disease, MS, Autoimmune hepatitis, and arthritis (but not RA).

Those with Celiac’s disease and those with a gluten sensitivity should not eat foods containing gluten, such as bread, pasta, and cereal.  The gluten will make them sick.  A gluten free diet is the cure for Celiac’s disease.  Those with Celiac’s disease may experience joint pain but it is not the destructive arthritis of RA. The joint symptoms will lessen as gluten is eliminated from the diet.

Oats are gluten free unless produced near wheat. To be sure there was no contamination with gluten during production, the oats or oatmeal you buy should be labeled gluten free.

Celiac’s disease is under reported.  If you find relief from a gluten free diet, you may have a gluten sensitivity.

Gluten is not usually the culprit for those with RA. Ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease of the lower intestine, can be linked with RA. Crohn’s disease, the other inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is linked genetically to RA as it is also linked to psoriatic arthritis., and ankylosing spondylosis.

Those with RA have GI issues. They may an IBD, or they may be something else. Diverticulitis is a growing problem for those with RA as is intestinal perforation due to it. Problems may arise anywhere along the GI tract. Those with RA may experience nausea, diarrhea, a feeling of fullness after eating a small amount, stool leakage plus all the others you might think of.  The culprit may be the inflammation of RA and it may be RA medications.